Freemasonry In The East.

observation has been made to me confidentially by many brethren , but of late an improvement has taken place , and many associates concur in shielding our Craft from abuse . At one occasion it gave me much pain to meet Avith a brother AA 7 1 IO opined

that the best and most acceptable thing in Masonry Avas a well supplied banquet . Let us all cooperate , and not permit such persons to cross the threshold of our edifice . " *

The follovring " Invitation to show cosmopolitan sentiments , " and which , if we mistake not , is also from the pen of Bro . Treu , appears also in the columns of our German contemporary , and is full y . endorsed by the latter : — -

Masonic philanfchropj ? , and fraternal spirit show themselves chiefly in the alleviation of human distress ! By succouring the poor , Freemason Lodges throughout the world have acquired great merit ; a prominent place in this important branch of benevolence is also occupied by the foundation and support of schools . Following up this path , we consider ifc the duty of

lodges to provide schools not for the poor alone , but also for the Avealthier classes , in countries in AA'liich humane culture and education are like a terra incognita ,. Besides the south-east of Europe , there are Asia Minor , Syria , Egypt , and the whole northern coast of Africa in want of help in the noblest meaning of this phrase . Nature has plentifully besfcOAved her blessings on these countries ,

but the inwrought population do not know hoAV to cultivate and reap the wealth held out to them . In olden times these regions Avere inhabited by a highly civilised and flourishing people : we must assist these countries in causing the present even to excel their past . Next of all we must direct our attention to Turkey in Europe , and above all to Constantinople , this being the

town from which the said countries may be efficiently ' worked upon . There are already two schools in existence in Constantinople , but both of them of a strictly religious ( confessionell ) character . The Italia Lodge has established a free school for children of poor parents , Avhich is frequented by thirty or forty children belonging to all creeds .

It now becomes incumbent upon the whole of the German Lodges to found , under the superintendence of the lodges of Constantinople , a higher school ( hohere Biirgerschule ) i . e ., a school in Avhich foreign languages may be taught , such school to serve as a nucleus and nursery for the propagation of humane culture iu the Levant . Should every German lodge contribute only ten thalers

( £ 110 s . ) per annum to begin with , and voluntary contributions from indiA'idual brothers be received , an annual income of 3 . 000 thalers ( £ 4-50 ) might be expected . Supjiosing such an income to be secured approximately , the realisation of the project might be proceeded with , the more so as the proposed school might certainly expect an energetic supportand above all the annual fees

, from the pupils at Constantinople itself . Such result might be more efficiently secured , Avere the lodges of other countries to join in our work . Above all , we entreat the German lodges " and Masonic clubs to impress themselves ivith the paramount importance of this truly Masonic undertaking , and request the

Freemasonry In The East.

editor of the Freimaurer Zeitung to receive such contributions as may be bestowed upon this work . We are well aivare thafc this subject can be started at first only as an idea , as a desideratum , and as such we Avish to have it considered . Our invitation embodies the Masonic cry , " Hands to the work . " Should our proposal for the shoiv of cosmopolitan sentiments meet Avith favour

and support from German lodges and brethren , further provisions may be made for the collection aud appropriation of funds . May the Great Architect of the Universe bless these words and the works that are to follow them .

With all due deference to Bro . Treu ' s judgment , and Avhile concurring de grand coeur in the idea Avhich he starts , Ave beg to differ from him as to the mode of realising and carrying into execution such idea . To provide schools for the poor

in countries in which Masons are the chief , if not the sole champions and representatives of European civilisation , may pertain to the province of Freemasonry , though its association Avith other non-Masonic civilising elements , for such purposes ,

should always take place , Avith a view to impart a catholic , humane character to such undertakings . But it can never be the duty of Freemasonry to found institutions that are calculated onl y to benefit those classes which are fully in a position

to take care of their OAVU interests . iSTo doubt members of the Craft may join and support such enterprises , but not in their capacity as Masons , but as shareholders of joint-stock companies ; it is utterly derogatory to to the essence and

fundamental idea of our Order to substitute itself for , or compete with "Limited Liability ; " besides , the European colonies of Stamboul and Pera form

an opulent community , whose wealth is continually increasing ; and ifc is an insult to the non-Masonic colonists to deny that a good school could be a self-supporting- institution on the shores of the Bospliorus . The European

colonies in the Levant are surely rich enough to pay not only for a " hi g her school , " but to g iA e themseh' -es the luxury even of a universit y that mi ght successfully compete with Marburg , Eostock , orErlangen . We think Bro . Treu ' s excellent intentions and

zeal have carried him too far ; let the " Germania am golclnen ILoi-n " confine itself to its essential Masonic duties , and it will never be at a loss to find an ample field for its activity in its legitimate sphere , Avithout poaching on the preserves of other institutions .

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HOPE is the ruddy noruiiig ray of joy , recollection is its golden tinge ; but the latter'is wont-to sink amid the dews and dusky shades of twilight ; and the bright blue day which the former promises , breaks indeed , but in another world , and with another sun .